ESA response to planning bill publication
Commenting on the publication of the Planning Bill by the Department of Communities and Local Government, ESA Chief Executive Dirk Hazell said:

 “The new Planning Bill provides a positive framework for delivering large scale infrastructure essential for the UK’s sustainable economic growth. 

“Large scale waste management projects which fall within the definition of nationally significant infrastructure will be vital to help the UK meet pressing obligations under European waste law – particularly the Landfill Directive. However, more importantly, the Planning Bill provides an opportunity for Parliamentarians to widen the definition of “nationally significant infrastructure” by recognising that waste management facilities of varying sizes, types and capacity are essential for the UK’s compliance with EU law. 

“The Planning Bill provides a good start but there is always scope for improvement, and smaller, strategically located facilities can also play a significant role in achieving nationally important objectives and targets.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1) ESA is the UK’s sectoral trade association for waste and secondary resource management, an industry accounting for 0.7% GDP.

2) For further information please contact Dr Steven Toole in the ESA’s Press Office on 020 7591 3219.

3) The Planning Bill has this week (28th November) been published Click for Details. A document has also been released summarising the results of the consultation on the planning white paper and sets out the Government’s response to the main points made Click for Link. The measures in the Planning Bill are also subject to an impact assessment, to assess the costs and benefits of the measures they contain Click for Link